Santa Monica, CA (Top40 Charts/ Brulιe Official Website) Creativity is a dish best served with Brulee. After all, the
Santa Rosa-based duo is brimming with it, spicing up a placid jazz scene by twisting conventions and thoroughly enjoying themselves in the process.
On their debut album, "New Beginnings," vocalist
Julie Weiner and keyboardist/vocalist Doug Onstad toss the rule book into the trash and liberate themselves from the cookie-cutter crowd. On their menu, what was once considered classic rock, such as the Rolling Stones' "Under My Thumb," is reinvented as a Cole Porter tune.
Bob Dylan loses his nasal whine and becomes the inspiration for sublime jazz harmonies. (When was the last time you heard the words "sublime" or "harmonies" used in association with Dylan?) "I Ain't Got Nobody" loses its "Just a Gigolo" and finds a naughty home with "Come On-A My House" instead.
What madness is this? No, not madness; rather, it's the inventive mind of Onstad, who has discovered a fresh approach to aging and overly covered jazz standards. With Weiner's incandescent voice at his side, Onstad jams on his piano and lets the rhythm run wild. On "Tout Doucement/Ain't Misbehavin'," Weiner and Onstad toss out lines to each other like two tennis players locked in a groove. But they allow one another a chance to shine solo as well. Weiner's stunningly gorgeous vocals on "
Skylark" can make hearts skip a beat, and Onstad's reflective piano on "
Summertime" has a dreamy, cinematic feel that is heavy with sun-drenched atmosphere.
Given Brulee's expertise with vocal harmonies, it's not a shock when Onstad reveals one of his major inspirations: the Beach Boys. "I loved Brian Wilson's melodies and harmonies," Onstad said. "The
Beach Boys were big influences on me." So while Brulee may not sound like the Beach Boys, their spirit haunts this band who also happen to be from California and do not allow themselves to be caged by stylistic restrictions. "Nothing is off limits," Onstad added. - Robert Sutton
